Trumm Drug

June 2010 Drug News

Another Prestigious Health Journal Highlights Value Of Pharmacy

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores hailed an article in the May 2010 edition of the prestigious publication Health Affairs, which delivers a powerful statement about the value of pharmacy in helping patients take the right medications in the right ways, thus improving lives and reducing healthcare costs. The article, titled “Why Pharmacists Belong In the Medical Home,” was authored by Marie Smith, Pharm.D., head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, at the University of Connecticut; David W. Bates, M.D., division chief of general medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Thomas Bodenheimer, M.D., adjunct professor of family and community medicine at the University of California, San Francisco; and Paul D. Cleary, Ph.D., dean of the School of Public Health, Yale University. “Pharmacists can play important roles in optimizing therapeutic outcomes and promoting safe, cost-effective medication use for patients in medical homes,” the authors state. “They are well-trained health professionals, yet they are often underused.”
NACDS Press Release

Non-Adherence Problem Larger Than Previously Thought: Study

A significant number of chronic disease patients are not filling their prescriptions, according to a study by CVS Caremark and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Using electronic prescription records, the researchers found that more than 20% of asthma patients and over 34% of patients with high cholesterol failed to fill their initial prescriptions, indicating that the non-adherence problem is larger than previously thought. CVS Press Release

McNeil announces recall update

Children’s Zyrtec Perfect Measure Grape was inadvertently omitted from previous list.

On Wednesday, McNeil announced that the list of recalled products previously published was inadvertently missing Children’s Zyrtec Perfect Measure Grape (NDC 50580-723-10). Like the other products on this list, consumers should not use this drug due to quality concerns, although no adverse effects have been identified as yet.

McNeil initially announced the recall on April 30. Several lines of liquid children’s and infants’ Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, and Zyrtec are affected. Parents and caregivers should not administer these products to children and should speak with a health professional about alternative pediatric treatment options. Drug products intended for other age groups should never be used in infants or children.

The complete list of recalled products, as well as recommendations for patients, is available at http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com.

Pharmacists’ Flu Immunizations Up 36%: Wolters Kluwer

The number of pharmacist-administered seasonal influenza shots increased 36% during the flu season, paving the way to ease regulations that would allow pharmacists nationwide to provide an array of vaccines, according to data supplied by Wolters Kluwer Health. Chicago Tribune

Doctors Sue to Block ‘Red Flags’ Rule

Three physician associations have sued the Federal Trade Commission to block enforcement of its red flags rule that will require businesses that extend credit to individuals to have identity theft detection procedures in place. Enforcement of the often-postponed rule, largely aimed at financial institutions, is scheduled for June 1.

Community pharmacies that regularly extend credit to customers through patient charge accounts – sometimes known as house accounts – are covered by the rule. Legislation that would exempt most health care providers and certain other small businesses unanimously cleared the House of Representatives last year, but has not been taken up by the Senate.

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